What we're fighting for
Young people have the right to mental health support, whatever their age.
The move from specialist child mental health services to adult services isn't working. Young people told us they feel abandoned, isolated and ignored.
Our young people have spoken. And now, their voices need to change the system for the better.
That's why we're calling on Welsh government and mental health services to listen to young people. And Sort the Switch.
We have 4 simple demands for the Welsh government, to make that transition from child to adult services better.
- Listen to and act on the voices of young people in Specialist Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (SCAMHS)
- Make sure national guidance is delivered, and young people get the help they're entitled to.
- Support young people when they leave SCAMHS. Help make the move to adult services a positive step in recovery.
- Change the way services are run, to better involve young people’s voices.
The facts about SCAMHS
SCAMHS stands for Specialist Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services. They're free services run by the NHS to help young people with their mental health.
Working with young people, we created a report to share stories of what it's like moving from child to adult services.
It includes urgent recommendations on how to improve the move.
How you can get involved
Young people should leave mental health services feeling supported, heard and cared for. Many don’t.
Share our campaign using the resources below, and help us spread the message, using #SortTheSwitch.
Where to get support
We know that moving from specialist child and adolescent services can be scary. You might not know what to expect.
But there is help out there. We have information on moving from SCAMHS to AMHS, including:
- How long the waiting times might be
- Tips for managing the move
- What happens if you turn 18 while you're in hospital